Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!

Can you believe that SNL made its debut THIRTY FIVE YEARS ago?

Yep, the original cast of Saturday Night Live assaulted America from studio 8H in the GE Building at Rockefeller Center for the first time on this date in 1975. If you’ve been on a studio tour of NBC in New York as I did years ago, you were stunned at just how SMALL that studio is.

Of course, for a fledgling show that had no idea how big it would get, it was an appropriate venue. Unknown cast, unpredictable audience response and an untried idea got its initial workout.

Needless to say, things worked out OK.

The show was originally called “NBC’s Saturday Night”—as ABC had a show called “Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell”. The naming rights were purchased by NBC in 1977.

The brainchild of producer Lorne Michaels, the original cast of John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radnor, Dan Ackroyd, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman were known as the “Not Ready For Prime Time Players”. Each opening sketch was concluded with one of the actors shouting, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”

A different guest host was employed each week, someone with marquee value and ability to draw in audience. As time passed as the ensemble cast of SNL each became individual huge stars, the guest host’s “star” often paled in comparison with the regular cast. Not so on that first broadcast, when comedian George Carlin became the very first guest host.

Here’s a clip of John Belushi’s screen test to become part of that winning team:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwqorRnsfMo&feature=related


Chevy Chase left the show after the second season. He was replaced by Bill Murray. Throughout the history of the program, which has had its ups and downs, it has remained a touchstone for edgy humor and has contributed many of the memorable characters and and comedians. In addition to the original cast—and Bill Murray, other SNL alumni include:

Eddie Murphy
Dana Carvey
Phil Hartmann
Jon Lovitz
Dennis Miller
Kevin Nealon
Joe Piscopo
Al Frankin
Robert Downey, Jr.
Mike Myers
Chris Farley
Chris Rock
Adam Sandler
Rob Schneider
David Spade
Will Ferrell
Norm McDonald
Tina Fey
Amy Poehler
Seth Meyers

Am I leaving anyone out?

Probably…but the star power and talent of the above list is amazing!

Most folks who remember the original cast will say that no one can top that ensemble—and its true that the magic of those first few seasons can never be recaptured. Part of it has to do with the novelty factor. Truth is that if you watch those old episodes again, you will likely laugh only in remembrance of how you did back then.

The comedy seems tame in comparison with what is out there now…but one can appreciate the material for the times. It sure made us laugh back then, but then again, some of us weren’t sober when those shows originally aired!

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